Ashdown High School

Dear Parents and Students

Welcome to 2026-2027 Ashdown High School of Innovation:

 

A wonderful school year is about to begin as we welcome a new group of fantastic 9th graders who we are all thrilled to join our Senior High Team.  The 9th Grade begins by kicking off 9th Grade Night - Thursday, July 23rd from 4-6pm.  Ninth grade Parents are invited to come to this event and meet teachers, discover the many aspects of AHS, tour the school, and ask questions.

 

After picking up registration packets, the week of 20th - 23rd, for all 9th - 12th students and returning, students will be given their class schedules and will be ready to begin on August 10th.  Open House is scheduled for Thursday, August 6th, from 2-6. 

 

Daily Schedules will begin at 7:45 with 8-period days.  School will dismiss at 4:17.   We will be off on Fridays this year.  Our 8-period day is allowing for more opportunities for those who wish to take more electives while maintaining grade point averages and focusing on college, career, and /or enrolling to extend their knowledge of their career plans.  Those in athletics will be able to receive conditioning training within the school day, as well as their scheduled athletic period. 

 

We are embarking on a new platform for all students to continue their Student Success Plan with LAUNCH.  LAUNCH will be all-inclusive, with students interacting with this platform throughout their high school years.  This program will complement what AHS is doing by guiding students toward postsecondary readiness.   The student-centered portal includes streamlined tools for planning, documentation, monitoring student progress, and school-family communication.  This LAUNCH platform will organize and document the students’ required 75 community service hours.  LAUNCH will also align academic planning, career exploration, and postsecondary readiness.  Parents and students will be able to access this at all times.  Time during the school day will allow students to update their plans, and this platform will keep all on track for postsecondary goals.

 

Students who need more assistance with keeping on track academically will be provided additional lab classes in English and Math, as well as intervention time to help maintain credits in order to not lag behind their peers for graduation.

 

Attendance matters as this year's theme, “Every Day Counts” is at the forefront of all planning for student success.  Students may only miss 6 days with a note from a parent per semester.  Any days over the 6th must be a doctor’s note.  School events where a student is involved in participating with a coach, sponsor, and/or competition are not included in the 6 allowed.  A careful watch on days missed will be handled by our staff, and loss of credit will be recommended if over the allowed number.  Notes after an absence are due within 3 days, and work is not allowed to be made up until a note is documented through the office.  A student will not be able to pass classes if absences are chronic.

 

Opportunity for students to begin working toward an Associate's Degree while in high school is possible with class opportunities beginning in 9th grade with a qualifying GPA, Accuplacer criteria and/or State Testing qualifications.

 

Physical education classes will include the opportunity for students to receive Officiating Certification - a new opportunity this year to help fill a very demanding area in our summer youth programs in the area.  With the certification and age 16, students will be able to officiate youth sports in our communities. 

 

ESports will be an elective class this year with students who maintain a B average and no discipline issues.  Other elective classes will be Intro to Education.

 

Robotics and Computer Science, along with Accounting 1 and Accounting 2, and Business Marketing, with skill sets being gleaned from all, are offered.   AHS continues to revise pathways to help our students prepare for the skills needed to grasp high-demand job opportunities

 

Extracurricular activities continue to provide opportunities for students with far-reaching interests such as esports, golf, and cross-country. Our Purple Pride Marching Band continues to provide over 40 students with a wealth of opportunities to develop skills in performing and music knowledge skills.  Our drama /theater production classes produce two elaborate productions each year with a multi-talented group of students from grades 9 - 12.  Our art department provides art appreciation as well as visual and ceramics, which make for a great program of study.  Those who aspire to go beyond with careers in the arts are being provided skills and exposure to world-renowned artists and work with visits to Crystal Bridges and other acclaimed visual arts museums.

 

A very successful Panther Academy provides students with the support they often need to find success and succeed, earning diplomas that demonstrating determination and hard work.

 

Career exploration and real-world application are provided through our workforce Internship program and  Lockesburg Industrial Maintenance Center. Pathways with coursework provide the skills needed to meet the high demand for jobs in a competitive job market.  Students who complete this study leave with no college debt and certifications to begin building a career with high-paying wages and job opportunities.    AHS is committed to connecting students with employers as well as working with students on the required skills for the workforce.

 

Our focus on Innovation continues to provide a vast array of career opportunities for students, as well as familiarize and develop skills to be ready for after high school.

 

Community connections and mentors are sought continuously as we value this support and welcome them into our school community.  Local businesses and industries are continually added to our list.

 

Our AHS Baseball Team for 3A was the runner-up last  Spring, and the senior girls' track team was runner-up for state as well.   Our Trap team finished the season as runner-up and received $10,000 for team scholarships.  Our ESport team competed statewide with AAA, AAAA, AAAAA, and were ranked in the top 10 throughout the season. 

 

We had two seniors who received the Bi-Literacy Merit Diploma this year and 20 who received the Merit Scholar Diploma.

Nine freshmen received Pre-ACT Early Scholar awards (ranked in the top 11 - 50% nationally and one freshman received the Distinguished Scholar award  - scoring in the top 3% nationally.

 

We have a total of 86  9th graders joining high school this year, with many already taking and passing the Accuplacer, which will allow them to take concurrent classes and be able to graduate AHS well on their way to meeting a degree beyond high school. 

 

Five AHS students attended the U of A Engineering Camp this summer.  Three will be seniors this year and two will be Juniors.  This is the second year for our seniors.  These students were sponsored by former Alumni, The Margaret Daniel Educational Foundation, and Domtar. 

 

Our High School Staff consists of 65% with Master's degrees or higher.  

We welcome the new staff members to our team this year:

Holly Norman - 9th grade English

Stephanie Rowe - 10th grade English

Melissa Brown - ISS

Susan Mitchell - Sp. Ed.

Sanchez, Eleiterio - History - Football 

 

A great staff that is dedicated to meeting the educational needs of our great students is our goal this year, with the assistance of all the programs and supports that are in place. 

 

I welcome every one of our students to a very successful and productive year!

 

Kay York

AHS School of Innovation Principal